Collins, Michaud voice concerns over EPA boiler rules
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has released new standards that are intended to slash mercury and other hazardous emissions from coal and biomass-fired boilers and incinerators, but could also carry a hefty price tag for Maine's forest products industry.
In separate releases, Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Mike Michaud expressed concern over the impact the new regulations -- known as the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule -- might have on Maine's paper and wood products mills, converting facilities, loggers and landowners.
"Since the initial proposal, it has been my goal to ensure that the final Boiler MACT rules are achievable, affordable, and protective of public health and the environment, while preventing the loss of thousands of good manufacturing jobs in the United States, including the forest products industry in Maine," Collins said. "Since the rules were first proposed, significant revisions have been made. I have continued to work with a bipartisan group of colleagues in the Senate to urge EPA to ensure that the final rules include achievable standards, provide adequate compliance time for facilities to rationally plan for the capital expenses, and recognize the importance of key biomass fuels."
While acknowledging that the EPA's new regulations are a "far better and more balanced rule than its initial proposal," Collins warned it "will be costly for some manufacturers, and it is important that adequate time to comply be allowed to prevent job losses."
"I'm hopeful these new rules balance critical public health concerns with the need to make them achievable and affordable for businesses in Maine and throughout the country," added Michaud, a cosponsor of the "EPA Regulatory Relief Act" (H.R. 2250), which was designed to improve regulations that could adversely impact biomass and paper industries like those in Maine.
The bill also sets up realistic emission standards for biomass boilers and provides facilities a reasonable time to comply with them. H.R. 2250 passed the House on Oct. 13, 2011, but was never considered in the Senate.
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